Twenty-four hours after enduring one of the worst shooting performances in the past 15 years of Cougar basketball, Azusa Pacific bounced backed with one of its best showings of the season, running away from Bethany, 83-59, in the final game of the 18th Annual Cougar Classic.

Last night the Cougars shot a season-low 31% from the floor and missed 54 field goal attempts in a 10-point loss to Mountain State. Tonight, Azusa Pacific canned 52% of its attempts and scored the most points in a game since the season-opener. Granted there is quite a difference between defending national champion Mountain State and Bethany, but a month ago, the Cougars beat this same Bruin squad by just 8 points.

Junior Lance Soderberg scored a team-high 22 points and freshman Mike Hornbuckle tossed in a career-high 17 to lead Azusa Pacific. The duo combined on 16-for-22 shooting after going 3-for-14 last night.

"The difference is in the defense and our open looks," said Azusa Pacific coach Bill Odell. "We went through stretches where we moved the ball better than last night. I know we can shoot the ball. It's a matter of getting into a rhythm, and tonight we did."

The Cougars scored 28 of the game's first 35 points, using a 19-2 run to take quick control of play. By the midway point of the first half, 11 different Cougars had been in the game and 8 of them tallied points. They made 11 of their first 17 shots. Last night, they didn't make their 11th shot until their 35th attempt with less than 3 minutes left in the first half.

Led by Soderberg's 12 points, Azusa Pacific led 45-29 at halftime after burying 60% (15-of-25) of its first half shots.

As they have all year, the Cougars executed their offense, only this time they made their shots, which in turn explains the 28 baskets that came off 17 assists. Larry English and Hornbuckle led with 4 apiece.

"This is by far Mike's best game as a Cougar," said Odell. "We know he can do that and shoot very well, and this is why we have been starting him, to get him into a rhythm. He has done a great job defensively every time and that is what has kept him going."

Bethany, which made just 19-of-51 shots, was led by Quentin Boston's game-high 23 points. However, he had 9 of the Bruins' hefty 22 turnovers which Azusa Pacific translated into 28 points.

With the victory, Azusa Pacific improves to 7-3 on the season while Bethany falls to 0-9.